Soon a warning app for Switzerland?
In Munich, the nationwide cell phone warning system was used last Friday. Is the type of alerting an example for Switzerland?
Two years ago, the city of Munich officially launched the warning and information system Katwarn was introduced. The aim is to provide citizens with targeted warnings and behavioral instructions according to location in the event of an emergency or disaster. Last Friday, the system was used on a large scale: a large-scale alarm was triggered in the state capital. The reason for this was the unclear amok situation around the Olympic shopping center, according to official sources. Reports circulated of alleged firearms use in various parts of the city of Munich. Residents were urged not to leave their homes. As of today, it is known that an 18-year-old student, who was undergoing psychiatric treatment, was the lone perpetrator of the unbelievable act of bloodshed with a gun, model Glock.
Switzerland: Warning system under evaluation
As "20 minuten" reported today on its online platform, the Fedpol is also planning such a warning system via app and SMS. Currently, the evaluation phase is underway, a Fedpol spokeswoman told the commuter newspaper.
The Katwarn system in Germany is a standardized nationwide warning service for cell phones. Whether it's a major fire, the discovery of a bomb, or the threat of a hurricane, the responsible fire control centers, state situation centers, or the German Weather Service use Katwarn to send appropriate information to the affected region at lightning speed. Katwarn thus provides information that can be vital in addition to loudspeaker announcements, sirens and radio.
The Swiss population can obtain comprehensive information: On the platform alertswiss.ch the relevant information on preparedness and behavior in the event of disasters and emergencies is brought together. About natural hazards www.bafu.admin.ch/naturgefahren The Federal Office for the Environment provides detailed information. You can find out at any time which regions are likely to be affected by floods, hail, etc. via Meteoschweiz (www.meteoschweiz.admin.ch). If a particularly severe natural hazard event of supraregional magnitude is approaching, the offices can issue a so-called "Single Official Voice" (SOV) warning. There is an obligation for the media to disseminate SOV warnings.
What is missing now, as I said, is a kind of Katwarn message to the cell phone.
Text: rs
